Replacing safety disconnect

[57_Stepside]

I lurk and read allot, and want to run this past the group.

The sub panel in my pole barn is supplied with 4 ga THHN from a Square D 60 amp fused safety disconnect. That in turned is supplied by a 4 ga type SE, style U XHHW cable (copper) connected to a breaker in the main service panel . This is how the PO of my home had it, I sure don’t know why.

Should the XHHW be in conduit? Should I replace it with 4ga THHN in conduit? Sch 40 or 80?

With a breaker, I don’t think I need the fused disconnect.

Can I replace that with a PVC junction box and wire connectors/reducers like shown with heat shrink added?

How small of a JB would work?

Thanks,

 

[rockwithjason]

its tough to see what is really going on in the picture but i will take a shot at it. if the xhhw is individual conductors just hanging there then yes it should be in conduit. the disconnect must remain if there are more than 6 breakers in the sub panel and no main in the sub panel. why would you want to run pvc indoors? it would be much more durable in emt. 1 inch or possibley 1 1/4 inch would be about the minimum depending on some other details

 

[theoldwizard1]

... the disconnect must remain if there are more than 6 breakers in the sub panel and no main in the sub panel ...

Not in this case. The feed to that disconnect comes from a breaker in that main panel. It is not required.

It it is a detached garage, then a disconnect is required in the gragae if there is more than 6 breakers there.

 

[57_Stepside]

There is a main breaker also in the detached pole barn. I would not call the XHHW individual conductors, but it is just hanging there. I could use EMT.